Getting Started
Know Your Risks

Cancer of the colon or rectum (colorectal cancer) usually develops slowly, over several years. Take this simple assessment to learn about your risks for this type of cancer.

OverviewSee All
 Anatomy of the Prostate Gland in Overview
Details about the size, location, and function of the prostate gland, including a diagram. ...more
 Prostate Cancer: Diagnosis in Overview
If your healthcare provider thinks you might have prostate cancer, you will need certain exams and tests to be sure. A core needle biopsy is the most common way to look for prostate cancer. ...more
 Prostate Cancer: Risk Factors in Overview
A risk factor is anything that may increase your chance of having a disease. Here's what you need to know about the risk factors for prostate cancer. ...more
 Anatomy of the Prostate Gland in Overview
Details about the size, location, and function of the prostate gland, including a diagram. ...more
 Prostate Cancer: Diagnosis in Overview
If your healthcare provider thinks you might have prostate cancer, you will need certain exams and tests to be sure. A core needle biopsy is the most common way to look for prostate cancer. ...more
 Prostate Cancer: Risk Factors in Overview
A risk factor is anything that may increase your chance of having a disease. Here's what you need to know about the risk factors for prostate cancer. ...more
Understanding Your DiagnosisSee All
After a diagnosis of prostate cancer, you will likely have other tests. These tests help your healthcare providers learn more about your cancer and decide how best to treat it. Here's what you need to know. ...more
Screening means checking for a health problem before a person has symptoms. This can sometimes find diseases like certain cancers early, which can lead to early treatment. But it is not clear exactly how helpful screening is for prostate cancer. ...more
If your healthcare provider thinks you might have prostate cancer, you will need certain exams and tests to be sure. A core needle biopsy is the most common way to look for prostate cancer. ...more
 Prostate Biopsy in Understanding Your Diagnosis
A prostate biopsy is done after other tests show that there may be a problem with the prostate gland. It is the best method to diagnose prostate cancer. Read on to learn what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. ...more
A prostate or rectal ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at your prostate or your rectum. ...more
Being told you have prostate cancer can be scary, and you may have many questions. But you have people on your healthcare team to help. ...more
Once your healthcare provider knows you have cancer, the next step is to find out the grade and stage of the cancer. ...more
After a diagnosis of prostate cancer, you will likely have other tests. These tests help your healthcare providers learn more about your cancer and decide how best to treat it. Here's what you need to know. ...more
Screening means checking for a health problem before a person has symptoms. This can sometimes find diseases like certain cancers early, which can lead to early treatment. But it is not clear exactly how helpful screening is for prostate cancer. ...more
If your healthcare provider thinks you might have prostate cancer, you will need certain exams and tests to be sure. A core needle biopsy is the most common way to look for prostate cancer. ...more
 Prostate Biopsy in Understanding Your Diagnosis
A prostate biopsy is done after other tests show that there may be a problem with the prostate gland. It is the best method to diagnose prostate cancer. Read on to learn what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. ...more
A prostate or rectal ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at your prostate or your rectum. ...more
Being told you have prostate cancer can be scary, and you may have many questions. But you have people on your healthcare team to help. ...more
Once your healthcare provider knows you have cancer, the next step is to find out the grade and stage of the cancer. ...more
Deciding on TreatmentSee All
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the U.S. (not counting skin cancer). It's mostly found in older men. And in most cases, it's found before it has spread to other parts of the body. ...more
The treatment choices for prostate cancer depend on several things. These include your age and overall health, the size and location of the cancer, lab test results, and the stage of the cancer. ...more
There are two types of radiation therapy used to treat prostate cancer. Here's what you need to know about external-beam radiation therapy. ...more
 Radical Prostatectomy in Surgery
Radical prostatectomy is surgery to remove the prostate gland. During the procedure, the seminal vesicles, nearby tissues, and often some pelvic lymph nodes are also removed. ...more
A transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is surgery to remove parts of the prostate gland through the penis. No cuts (incisions) are needed. ...more
 Cryotherapy for Prostate Cancer in Other Treatments
Cryotherapy involves freezing cancer cells and cutting off their blood supply. Read on to learn more about this treatment. ...more
 Angiogenesis Inhibitors in Other Treatments
Sometimes called antiangiogenic therapy, this treatment may prevent the growth of cancer by blocking the formation of new blood vessels. ...more
Treatment IntroductionChemotherapyRadiationSurgeryOther Treatments
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the U.S. (not counting skin cancer). It's mostly found in older men. And in most cases, it's found before it has spread to other parts of the body. ...more
The treatment choices for prostate cancer depend on several things. These include your age and overall health, the size and location of the cancer, lab test results, and the stage of the cancer. ...more
There are two types of radiation therapy used to treat prostate cancer. Here's what you need to know about external-beam radiation therapy. ...more
 Radical Prostatectomy in Surgery
Radical prostatectomy is surgery to remove the prostate gland. During the procedure, the seminal vesicles, nearby tissues, and often some pelvic lymph nodes are also removed. ...more
A transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is surgery to remove parts of the prostate gland through the penis. No cuts (incisions) are needed. ...more
 Cryotherapy for Prostate Cancer in Other Treatments
Cryotherapy involves freezing cancer cells and cutting off their blood supply. Read on to learn more about this treatment. ...more
 Angiogenesis Inhibitors in Other Treatments
Sometimes called antiangiogenic therapy, this treatment may prevent the growth of cancer by blocking the formation of new blood vessels. ...more
Managing Side EffectsSee All
Erectile dysfunction is the inability for the penis to get or stay erect for sex. It's often a side effect of the treatments for prostate cancer. Read on to learn more. ...more
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become porous and weak. As they lose strength, they are more likely to break. Bones in the spine, hip, wrist, pelvis, and upper arm are particularly at risk of fracture in people with osteoporosis. ...more
 Anemia and Chemotherapy in Chemotherapy Side Effects
Chemotherapy can damage your body’s ability to make red blood cells, so body tissues don't get enough oxygen. This is a condition called anemia. People who have anemia may feel very weak or tired, dizzy, faint, or short of breath, or may feel that their hearts are beating very fast. ...more
To reduce your risk for infection, avoid people who are sick with contagious illnesses, including colds, the flu, measles, or chickenpox. ...more
Fatigue can come and go or stay constant for a while. Fatigue from chemotherapy tends to happen a few days after the treatment, peaks, and then gets better before the next treatment. Fatigue from radiation may not happen right away. ...more
Detailed information on radiation therapy, one type of cancer treatment....more
About Side EffectsChemotherapy Side Effects Other Treatment Side Effects
Erectile dysfunction is the inability for the penis to get or stay erect for sex. It's often a side effect of the treatments for prostate cancer. Read on to learn more. ...more
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become porous and weak. As they lose strength, they are more likely to break. Bones in the spine, hip, wrist, pelvis, and upper arm are particularly at risk of fracture in people with osteoporosis. ...more
 Anemia and Chemotherapy in Chemotherapy Side Effects
Chemotherapy can damage your body’s ability to make red blood cells, so body tissues don't get enough oxygen. This is a condition called anemia. People who have anemia may feel very weak or tired, dizzy, faint, or short of breath, or may feel that their hearts are beating very fast. ...more
To reduce your risk for infection, avoid people who are sick with contagious illnesses, including colds, the flu, measles, or chickenpox. ...more
Fatigue can come and go or stay constant for a while. Fatigue from chemotherapy tends to happen a few days after the treatment, peaks, and then gets better before the next treatment. Fatigue from radiation may not happen right away. ...more
Detailed information on radiation therapy, one type of cancer treatment....more
Prevention and ScreeningSee All
A risk factor is anything that may increase your chance of having a disease. Here's what you need to know about the risk factors for prostate cancer. ...more
A risk factor is anything that may increase your chance of having a disease. Here's what you need to know about the risk factors for prostate cancer. ...more
Cancer FAQsSee All
 Prostate Cancer: Overview in Cancer FAQs
Prostate cancer starts in the cells that make up the prostate. The prostate is a male gland about the size and shape of a walnut. ...more
 Prostate Cancer: Overview in Cancer FAQs
Prostate cancer starts in the cells that make up the prostate. The prostate is a male gland about the size and shape of a walnut. ...more